Devotionals

The process of repentance can be rough and hurt at first. But remember that the Lord chastises us at times because that is the way He chooses to restore us to full health (Hos. 6:1). If you are crushed under ...Read More

We cannot forget the consequences our sins have on the world around us. However, if we do not understand that our sin is primarily and ultimately against God, we have not truly repented. Perhaps you have sinned against another person ...Read More

If you have asked the Lord to have mercy on you in Christ and forgive you of your sin, then He has washed you clean (1 John 1:8–9). Moreover, we must imitate God (Eph. 5:1) and be merciful to all ...Read More

God mercifully forgave David when he acknowledged his sin, but this does not mean his transgression had no consequences. David also worshiped the Lord even after these consequences were brought to pass (2 Sam. 12:15b–23), showing that He acknowledged his ...Read More

Repentance does not eliminate the struggle with sin and make us perfect immediately. But it does result in a marked change of thoughts, words, and deeds whereby we do not love our former lusts as we once did. If we ...Read More

The first of Martin Luther’s 95 theses reads: “When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said, ‘Repent,’ He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” Christ’s application of the destruction of Sodom reminds us to ...Read More

Children often repeat the sins of their parents, and so the later enmity between Israel and the peoples of Ammon and Moab is not surprising. Just as the sons of Jacob were not to follow the evil customs of these ...Read More

Chapter 17 of the Westminster Confession of Faith summarizes the Bible’s teaching on perseverance, arguing that those with faith may fall grievously, but they will not fall away finally. Lot fell greviously and yet not totally out of the Lord’s ...Read More

The bishop of Hippo, Augustine, had a mother who prayed for decades for his salvation, and the Lord doubtless used these prayers to move upon him, leading him to become one of the most influential theologians the world has ever ...Read More

Some of you reading today’s study may be newborn Christians and especially tempted to engage in the sinful activities that once defined your lives. Others may be susceptible to looking to the culture to determine their attitudes and treasures. Whatever ...Read More